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Reunification and the European Alliance System, 1950–1954

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Abstract

During the occupation period United States policy had evolved from the Level of Industry Plan to the founding of the Federal Republic. Germany was no longer to be considered a former enemy, but a future ally. If there was any doubt on this point, it was resolved in the early 1950’s, when it was decided to integrate West Germany firmly into the Western alliance system. The Federal Republic was to become a full partner in the economic and military pacts of the West European Community.

So far we have been unable to get from the Russians any statement of any sort which would lead us to believe that they wish to have a united Germany ...1

Secretary of State Acheson, June, 1952.

Now, of course, it is quite clear that the present policy of the United States, Britain and France... means full abolition of those obligations that were accepted by the governments of these countries in the matter of creation of a unified democratic, peaceful German State...2

Declaration of Soviet Bloc Foreign Ministers, October, 1950

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  1. Department of International Studies, The University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, USA

    James H. Wolfe

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© 1963 Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, Netherlands

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Wolfe, J.H. (1963). Reunification and the European Alliance System, 1950–1954. In: Indivisible Germany. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-9199-9_4

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